Extension-table.



PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906. G. BEHM.

EXTENSION TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAE.27, 1905.

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PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906.

G. BEHM. EXTENSION TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.27, 1905.

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UNITED STATES GUSTAV BEHM, OF CHlCAGO, ILLNOIS.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1 906.

Application filed March 27. 1905- Sell NO- 252.111.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, GUsTAv BEHM, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in extensible tables and the especial object of my improvements is to produce a table of this type that will be free from supportinglegs, and especially in which there will be no legs moving with the extended portions.

A further object is to provide a construction from which will be omitted the more or less complicated adjusting and controlling mechanism that is characteristic to most tables of this class and at the same time furnish a table that can be quickly and easily adjusted and that will be ornamental and conform to the general design of popular dining-tables.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, I have illustrated a preferred application of my invention in the following views:

Figure l is a side elevation of a table made according to my invention and shown in its closed position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the table partially extended. Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the table fully extended and with a portion broken away. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the table-top, the supporting-standard being removed. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the table-top and the upper part of the supporting-standard. Figs. 6 and 7 are details in perspective, on an enlarged scale, of rails which form elements of construction in my improved table. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail showing the method of guiding the extensible part of the table-top.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A represents a supporting-standard built in the rectangular form shown and resting on a base a, which in turn is supported by the clawfeet a2, the latter being preferably of metal, so as to add to the weight of the standard, and thus make it more effective as a support for the table-top to be described. The 'standard is hollow and divided into two chambers a5 a by a horizontal shelf a4, to which access is had by a hinged door a3. To the top of the standard, on two sides thereof, are secured lateral braces a8, which extend transversely to the top of the table and serve as an additional support for the parts to be described.

Extending longitudinally of the table-top and secured to the braces as are two pieces B B, which serve in part to support the tabletop and furnish a slideway and guide for the outer slide-rails (Z (Z. Other longitudinal pieces e c are also rigidly secured to the braces aS as and form a guide and slideway for the inner slide-rails (Z (Z. The strips e are connected at their ends by cross-pieces e", which serve, in connection with the pieces e e, as a support for the table-top. The slide-rails (Z cZ, which are arranged between the longitudinal pieces B and e, are spaced apart and along their adjacent or opposite faces have secured thereto rack-bars cZL (Z5, respectively, the former being secured to the rails (Z and the latter to the rails CZ', as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Extending transversely tln'ough the pieces c, (Z, cZ, and B and arranged centrally of the standard A is a shaft F, the opposite ends of which are squared, as atj'3, to receive an operating key or crank f5. (Shown in Fig. 2.) Mounted on this shaft between each pair of slide-rails (Z Z is a pinionft, which meshes with the rack-bars d" (Z5 and upon being rotated through the rotation of the shaft cause the slide-rails to move in opposite directions to each other. The shaft F, in addition to having suitable bearings in the pieces e and B, is also journaled in the hanger-blocks j", which are secured to the under side of the table-top C. Between these hangers there is mounted on the shaft F a spool f2, on which are secured the inner ends of straps f6, said straps being made from suitable elastic webbing, and their outer ends are connected with the end slats c2 of the slatted or curtain portion of the table-top, thus maintaining a tension on said slats at all times.

The table-top C is made up of boards which are rigidly secured together and form the permanent or fLxed portion of the top and of slats, as c c2, which are narrow wood strips connected together by canvas c3 in the manner usual in forming wood curtains. Some of the slats c have inserted in their under side pins c4, formed with round heads, which are adapted to slide or move through the slots Z2 (Z3, formed longitudinally through the upper and lower sides of the slide-rails d (Z, respectively. The rails Z cZ are further provided with longitudinal slots (Z6, through which ex- IOO IIO

tend the shaft F,'thereby permitting the longitudinal movement of said slide-rails, as will be readily understood. The ends of the sliderails d are rounded, as at (Z7, to facilitate the turning of the slats around same in the operation of the slatted or curtain portions of the table-top.

A table constructed substantially as above described and normally in its closed position, as shown in Fig. l, can be extended by applying the crank f 5 to either end of the shaft F and turning same, thereby sliding each pair of rails d d in opposite directions. The tension of the straps f6 will be suflicient to hold the slats closely to the under side of the sliderails and also facilitate their movement, but will not be sufficient to overcome the friction between the slide-rails and their adjacent parts, so that the extensible portions of the table-top will always remain where they are left by the operator. When the usual cloth or mat is over the top of the table, the open joints at the ends of the top will be covered, so that there can be no objection to same.

. It will be seen that in my improved table the base and standard are always at the center and that there are no supports or legs moving with the extensible portions. The compartments a5 a are suitable receptacles for table accessories, or, if desired, a single compartment could be used to receive a metal safe or strong-box in which silverware could be stored.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-.

In a table, a centrally-disposed supportingstandard, rails fixed on said standard, and other rails slidably supported on said standard, and having grooves formed therein, rackbars secured to said slide-rails, a shaft extending transversely through said fixed and slide rails, pinions fixed on said shaft and meshing with said rack-bars, a spool Jiixed on said shaft and having elastic straps secured thereon, a table-top composed of boards rigidly secured to said fixed rails, and of extensible sections formed of slats flexibly connected together and with the said boards and connected with said elastic straps, pins fixed in said slats and adapted to slide in the grooves in said slide-rails.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAV BEHM.' I/Vitnesses H. DE Los HIGMAN, F. BENJAMIN. 

